Defense officials meet Chinese counterparts

From Malaya (May 7): Defense officials meet Chinese counterparts

RANKING defense officials of the Philippines and China met recently to improve bilateral relations and exchange views on the regional maritime and security situation, including the dragging territorial dispute in the South China Sea.

In a statement, the defense department said the Philippine delegation to the 4th Defense and Security Talks in China last April 27 was led by undersecretary for defense affairs Honorio Azcueta.

“The dialogue also served as a platform for the Philippines and China to share perspective on the regional security architecture, to include regional multilateral institutions and relations between regional powers such as that between US and China,” the statement read.

It said the dialogue also served as an opportunity for both sides “to review their bilateral defense relations and explore mechanisms to further promote defense and military cooperation, to include exchange of personnel as well as collaboration in addressing effects of natural disasters and climate change.”

The Philippines, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Brunei are locked in a territorial dispute involving the Spratly Islands, a chain of islands and islets in the South China Sea.

China and the Philippines are also disputing ownership of Scarborough or Panatag Shoal off Zambales. Three Chinese ships are in virtual control of the shoal since a standoff in April last year.

The DND said the talks with Chinese defense officials are in keeping with the declaration of President Aquino and former Chinese President Hu Jintao to have friendly exchanges.

The statement said the DND delegation manifested that while the West Philippine Sea is a key issue between the Philippines and China, it is “not the totality of the PH-China relations, hence engagement with China should be maintained.”

It said the Chinese delegation, led by People’s Liberation Army deputy chief of staff Gen. Qi Jianguo, “acknowledged the significance of the talks in promoting relations between the two countries.”

It said the Chinese defense minister Chang Wanquan met with the DND delegation on April 28 and “acknowledged the importance of sustaining dialogue between Philippine and Chinese defense and military establishments.”

The delegation also visited China’s National Defense University where they had a “candid exchange of views” with the university’s faculty. Two Filipino officers are studying at the Chinese university.

Undersecretary for legal and legislative affairs and strategic concerns Pio Lorenzo Batino, a member of the delegation, said the meeting seeks to “further our defense cooperation in terms of exchange of students and exchange of high-level meetings.”

 http://www.malaya.com.ph/index.php/news/nation/30372-defense-officials-meet-chinese-counterparts